"I'm playing smart," Price said. "It's making it seem like I'm playing that much better."

Price has enjoyed a good career at WKU. He's been a part of two NCAA tournament teams (2012, 2013). He's earned multiple all-conference honors. He's 15th on the school's all-time scoring list (1,463 points) and needs six more three-point baskets to set the school record.

But Price has never been this productive.

"T.J. is playing at another level right now," WKU coach Ray Harper said. "He does it all."

Never mind his career-high in points per game. That might be the least impressive statistic.

Price is shooting career-bests in overall field-goal percentage (47.3) and three-point percentage (48.1). He's 13th in the nation in three-point accuracy. Price entered this season as a career 39.4-percent shooter overall and 35.8 percent from behind the arc.

Price has 52 assists to 38 turnovers. He has never finished a season with more assists than turnovers. He's on pace for career highs in rebounds per game (5.7), assists (4.0) and free-throw percentage (83.9).

In the off-season, Harper looked over Price's career numbers.

"I just felt that he was a better player than that," the coach said. "In order for us to be a good basketball team, I told him that those percentages need to go up, his assists up and his turnovers down. But I never thought he was going to shoot the ball at 48 percent."

For his first three seasons, Price might have led WKU in questionable shot selection. He was a gunner. This season, Price has been more selective and as a result his field-goal percentage is better.

Over the summer, Price worked out on his shooting daily at Diddle Arena. Price is more conscious of his shot selection.

"This year, I'm picking out the smarter shots," he said. "I'm not trying to force it over a defender. We're getting good ball movement and if I'm open, I'm taking the shot."

In Sunday's 81-62 victory over Marshall, Price was 8 of 13 from the field (4 of 7 from three-point range) for 25 points. He set a career-high with 8 assists and tied a career-best with four steals.

Price has 15 assists to three turnovers over the past two games.

"He's expanded his game," Harper said. "He's not just a catch-and-shoot guy anymore. His percentage wasn't as good because he'd take too many difficult shots. It's a little better shot selection and a little more patience."

Price, a native of Slidell, La., was recruited to play linebacker for Louisiana Tech. But he said there was never any doubt he was going to choose basketball. Price flashed his potential as a freshman by scoring 21 points against eventual national champion Kentucky in the 2012 NCAA tournament.

As a senior, he might be the best player in the league.

"You stay in the gym, keep working hard and doing the right things, everything should work out for you," Price said.

Contact Michael Grant at (502) 582-4069, and on Twitter @MichaelGrant_CJ